Celebrities reflect on Joan Rivers death

Celebrity colleagues and admirers of Joan Rivers share their reactions Thursday to her death at age 81:

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"Our dear Joan is gone. Knowing her, working with her and enjoying the fun times of life with her was special. She will always be in our hearts. ... Joan.we will miss you." — Comedian Don Rickles in a statement.

"A legend, a friend, a mentor, an icon, and wildly funny. One of a kind. RIP ..." — Comedian Kathy Griffin in a tweet.

"I never saw someone attack a stage with so much energy. She was a controlled lightning bolt. She was a prolific and unpredictable, joyful joke writer. She loved comedy. She loved the audience. She was a great actress and should have done that more. She loved living and working. She was kind. She was real. She was brave. She was funny and you just wanted to be around her. I looked up to her. I learned from her. I loved her. I liked her. And I already miss her very much." — Comedian-actor-writer Louis C.K. in a statement.

"No one loved life, laughter, and a good time more than Joan. We would have dinner and laugh and gossip and I always left the table smiling. She was a brassy, often outrageous, and hilarious performer who made millions laugh. In private, she was the picture of elegance and class. I will miss her." — Newswoman Barbara Walters in a statement.

"My heart is torn in half. She wasn't done." — Comedian Sarah Silverman in a tweet.

"Joan Rivers was a pioneer in the entertainment industry. Fearless, tireless and brilliantly funny. I will forever look up to Joan. She was a true friend." — Talk-show host Kelly Ripa in a statement.

"She was one of the best comedy guests Johnny (Carson) ever had." — Comedian-director David Steinberg in a statement.

"Joan Rivers will always be a pioneer. She paved the way for a lot of comedians. I'm very sad she's gone." — Comedian-host Ellen DeGeneres in a tweet.

"First Robin (Williams). Now Joan. The world just became a less funny place. RIP Joan Rivers." — Comedian Gilbert Gottfried in a tweet.